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Amanda Cooper served as curator for the Morean Arts Center for 11 years.

St. Petersburg – A leader, teacher, active parishioner, friend, devoted mother and wife, Amanda Cooper lives a fruitful and fulfilling life as a curator at the Morean Arts Center.

Born and raised in Pinellas Park, Cooper graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida specializing in art history. Downplaying that achievement, she considered herself lucky landing the curator position at the Morean Arts Center located in downtown St. Petersburg in 1999.

“I got the weekend section of the newspaper and I sent out my resume to every single gallery in this area,” Cooper recalled. “The Arts Center was the only one that contacted me and they happen to have a curator who was going to be leaving and moving on to other things.”

According to Cooper, the timing was exceptional for the transition because the gallery was going through a major renovation.

“Most of what I’ve learned about the job has been ‘on the job training,’” Cooper said. “I take my experiences from learning art history. I knew about the history and the styles, but I didn’t take any practical classes.  The director and my co-workers were very helpful guiding my along.”

Eleven years and numerous shows later, Cooper feels more confident now than when she started.

“I have probably curated around 300 shows in the 11 years I have been here,” Cooper said. “I feel I definitely know more now, but I’m always learning.  I’m always looking for new artists and art trends.”

Since starting the position, Cooper witnessed numerous changes in the art scene as new artists moved into the St. Petersburg area.

“There are a lot of newer, younger artists here now that I have to keep up now,” Cooper said.

Cooper currently works part time compared to when she started at the position full time. While the position keeps her busy, she also balances her time raising her two children.

“I wouldn’t say it would affect my work in any way,” Cooper said. “I do have to work harder because I’m not here as much as I was at the beginning.”

Cooper credits variety as one of the major benefits to her job.

“One thing that’s always great about this job is that you’re always doing something different,” Cooper said. “Lot of times it’s sitting down, checking my e-mail, making phone calls … that sort of thing.  When it comes to exhibitions depending on when they’re scheduled, I can be painting gallery walls, moving pedestals around, [or] attaching artwork.”

There are two-week intervals between shows, according to Cooper.  The gallery preps the artworks, set up loan agreements, go over insurance issues and discuss future planning.  Cooper prefers to have the exhibitions planned two years in advance.  The Arts Center usually puts out 30 shows in a year and much of the planning is researched online, whether for new artists or trends.

“Planning is all being on the Internet a lot and looking at art,” Cooper said. “I don’t know how I was able to do my job without the Internet, because we’re non-profit and we don’t have a huge budget.  We don’t travel a lot so we don’t see what’s going on in other parts of the country.”

Cooper relishes in the growth the center has experienced since she arrived.

“I love the people I work with,” Cooper said.  “It has changed a lot since I started working here.  In the beginning there were five of us on staff.  Now there’s much more.  I love working around people being creative.  It feels good working for an organization that to me is doing so much good in the community.”

Exhibitions Director Jorge Vidal echoes the sentiment.

“She’s intelligent, focused and passionate,” Vidal said.  “I have a lot of respect for her.  She does a great job raising awareness in the art scene and she gives a lot of artists at different levels at their career to show their work.”

Vidal further complements her work in her collaborative efforts with various institutions at the educational level.

When it comes to being active in the community, Cooper spends a great deal of time teaching.  Whether getting involved at the Morean Arts Center or the Park Place Wesleyan Church, Cooper is as passionate to her faith as she is to the arts.

“Mandy and her husband, Eric, weren’t really involved initially,” Lead Pastor Phil Lewis said.  “They gradually got more involved.  Mandy began to work with the teenage girls in the youth group.  She’s a great lady and mom.”

Lewis knew Cooper’s family for 13 years. Lewis’ particular bond with Cooper stems from his two teenage daughters involvement growing up with her.

“Amanda is a devoted mother and wife and grounded in her faith. She is selfless, kind-hearted and fun to be around,” Morean Arts Center marketing manager Alissa Hopkins said.  “When she is curating an exhibition you not only experience the visual aspect of the exhibition, but you learn about the artist and their process and the individual takes away a real sense of the feeling and meaning behind the exhibition portrayed.”